Florida Truck Accident Attorneys Discuss Chain Reaction Crashes

A chain reaction crash involving a tractor-trailer in Boca Raton recently led to the shutdown of Interstate 95, South Florida’s main thoroughfare, for many hours, according to a recent news story. A commercial truck apparently attempted to change lanes while traveling at a high rate of speed, but impacted another vehicle in the process. The collision resulted in a further crash with another vehicle. One of the vehicles involved in the chain reaction crash left the roadway and collided with a power line, which resulted in a fire. The commercial truck driver who started the chain reaction did not stop and might not have been aware of the devastation that he left in his wake. This serious crash is indicative of the type of accidents that might occur when a commercial truck driver is negligent.

Commercial trucks that are operated in a negligent manner may lead to horrific crashes. At Greenberg Stone and Urbano, our Miami truck accident lawyers will work with our clients to get them the compensation that they need to deal with the long-term harm caused by their accident. Our attorneys have more than 120 years of collective experience in representing clients injured in South Florida truck accidents.

Commercial trucks can be involved in many types of accidents, but the size and weight of these vehicles frequently lead to successive impacts after an initial collision. A chain reaction crash involves three or more vehicles. One vehicle typically causes the initial collision that leads to the subsequent impacts, with driver negligence being the common culprit. In other words, the vehicle that initiates the crash often is found to be primarily liable for the resulting damages and harm. There are circumstances where a second or third vehicle is responsible for the crash, which may happen when traffic has stopped and a vehicle does not stop in response to the traffic in front of it.
In addition to vehicles that change lanes unexpectedly (e.g., the failure to react to slow or stopped traffic, or traveling at excessive speeds that impact other vehicles), there are other negligent behaviors that lead to chain reaction accidents involving commercial trucks, including:

• Jack-knifed tractor-trailers that lead to multiple vehicles crashing into the commercial truck;
• Overloaded trailers that prevent a truck driver from stopping the commercial truck within a safe distance (excess weight increases stopping distance);
• Drivers who are exceeding safe speeds during inclement weather conditions;
• Drivers who are operating a tractor-trailer while distracted by lack of sleep;
• Drivers who are operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
• Mechanical failures from a failure to routinely service or inspect a commercial vehicle; or • Any other behavior that leads to the negligent operation of a commercial truck
such as texting whie driving, dropping something and trying to reach for it or even tuning the radio while not looking at the road.

In order to establish liability in a chain reaction accident involving a commercial truck, it is necessary to analyze every step of the accident in order to determine what caused one vehicle to impact another. This may involve a complex accident reenactment and expert witnesses. The analysis is critical to demonstrating fault and imposing liability on the correct parties. Many times this is critical to get the compensation that is necessary to make a person whole after a devastating crash involving a tractor-trailer or other commercial vehicle.

Greenberg Stone and Urbano Fights for Truck Accident Victims

A truck accident may lead to horrific injuries, including traumatic brain injury, broken bones, spinal cord damage, and permanent disfigurement due to the size and weight of the commercial truck. Many times, drivers and passengers in smaller vehicles are killed in a chain reaction crash. The diligent and skilled Miami truck accident attorneys at Greenberg Stone and Urbano have developed their knowledge about how to craft a truck accident case after more than 30 years of helping victims obtain the compensation that they deserve. Our dedication to our clients has resulted in an AV rating from Martindale Hubbell and a designation as one of South Florida’s top-rated firms by the Miami Herald. To discuss the harm that you have suffered, please call us at (888) 499-9700 or (305) 595-2400 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

Greenberg, Stone & Urbano

11440 N Kendall Dr, #400

Miami, FL33176

Phone: (888) 499-9700 Local: (305) 595-2400

Naples Office

999 Vanderbilt Beach Rd, #200

Naples, FL34108

Phone: (888) 499-9700Local: (239) 325-5100

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